Congress MP suddenly fainted in Rajya Sabha, opposition criticized the government for continuing the proceedings

New Delhi: Opposition MPs on Friday criticised the government for continuing with the proceedings of the Rajya Sabha even after a member fainted and was taken to hospital. The opposition MPs accused the government of showing apathy towards the member. The incident took place in the Upper House when Congress member from Chhattisgarh Phulo Devi Netam suddenly fainted and was admitted to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital amid uproar by the opposition over the NEET-UG issue. Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar refused to adjourn the proceedings of the House. Following this, opposition parties walked out of the Rajya Sabha.

Netam fainted during the proceedings
Later, Chairman Dhankhar told the House that her health is improving. The Chairman said, ‘I have received information from the hospital. According to the doctors, she is recovering and she will be there for two-three hours for various tests. Rajya Sabha officials are also there…’ When the meeting started after the lunch break, the President’s address was being discussed and BJP’s Kavita Patidar was presenting her point. During this, Netam suddenly fainted and fell. After this, the Chairman adjourned the meeting for ten minutes at around 2:20 pm.

Admitted in RML hospital
When the Rajya Sabha proceedings resumed at 2.30 pm, DMK member Tiruchi Siva told the House that Phoolo Devi Netam was suffering from blood pressure. On this, Chairman Dhankhar said, ‘I have taken all the steps, adjourned the proceedings of the House. All arrangements have been made and this is what could be done. All things are being taken care of.’ According to Rajya Sabha members, Netam’s blood pressure had increased to 214/140, which the doctor described as dangerous. She was taken to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and admitted to the ‘ICU’.

Kharge criticized the attitude of the government
Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge later met Netam in the hospital and said that he/she is recovering. Kharge criticised the government for not respecting MPs and condemned this attitude. he/she said, ‘Talk about compassion from this government and Parliament, especially Rajya Sabha… there is no compassion for the people. They continued the proceedings of the House, they did not come to see what happened.’ Kharge said, ‘We also want to run the House, but what is their way… a member fainted, she did not even see what was happening. They adjourned the House for some time and did not express any concern over the incident.’

he/she said, ‘Members should not be treated like this, they are not getting the respect they should be given and I condemn this attitude.’ Kharge said that Netam has been admitted to the ICU and his/her condition is improving. he/she said that a CT scan was done to check whether the brain has been affected or not and some more tests will be done on him/her.

Renuka Choudhary also expressed protest
Congress leader Renuka Chowdhary said Netam had fainted while protesting in the House and criticised the Rajya Sabha Chairman for continuing with the proceedings of the House even after a member was taken to hospital. “An MP fainted, the Parliament doctor observed that her blood pressure was dangerously high. Some MPs were rushing to the hospital to take care of her but the House will continue… the life of one person, one Member of Parliament, one woman has no value,” Chowdhary said.

DMK leader Tiruchi Siva said they were forced to walk out. “We gave notice under Rule 267 to discuss the NEET issue… but they did not allow it. Opposition parties were raising slogans, which is not unusual. The ruling party did not pay attention to that. Suddenly Phulo Devi fainted, even after that they are continuing the debate,” he/she said. Trinamool Congress MP Sagarika Ghose said there was no concern from the government over Netam fainting. Jharkhand Mukti Morcha MP Mahua Majhi said she was in the ambulance with Netam and he/she has been admitted to the ICU and his/her condition is improving.